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Saturday, June 29, 2013

Since I’m a childless adult, I usually avoid children’s CDs,
but in the case of Putumayo Kids’ American
Playground, I find myself reflecting on my childhood.In fact, you don’t have to be either American
or a child to enjoy American Playground,
but it helps if you are familiar with American folk of the classic
variety.This compilation features such
rainy day favorites as Blue Skies, You Are My Sunshine, the gospel tune, This Little Light and Bob Dylan’s 1974
tribute to his son, Forever Young.With the songs (country, folk, bluegrass, blues, gospel) on this CD, we feel forever
youthful and we find ourselves singing along as if we’re sitting around the
proverbial campfire.

While any of these songs (even though some of the text
carries adult themes about broken hearts) would appeal to children, Alan Lomax
and other song catchers would have a field day with this compilation--pun
intended.In fact, Woody Guthrie’s This Land is Your Land which I sung
gleefully as a child, gives us pause for thought given the current political
situation in the US which has given “our land” away to corporate interest.And Woody Guthrie was equal
activist-songwriter.Guy Davis’ original
(the only non-cover on the CD), We All
Need More Kindness in This World
acts as the antidote to political shenanigans, reminding us that those everyday
acts of kindness by individuals are what keeps a nation healthy.

This compilation has a release date near July 4, which
allows me at least to keep things in perspective.Instead of celebrating the usual hypocritical
patriotism involving the usual indulgences (fireworks and barbecued flesh), I
prefer to reflect on individuals and communities who bring healing to them selves
and others, while working towards true equality and creating harmony through
music and the arts.And by the way, I
love the American Playground because
it’s light, fun, playful as well as, thoughtful.

Tuesday, June 25, 2013

Is it classical chamber or bluegrass? Certainly,
guitarist-composer Jason Seed’s repertoire that appears on In the Gallery sounds like classical chamber with twang--a bit
bluegrass swing played by a string quartet plus fusion guitar.Well, that’s the best way I can describe the
music on this CD.Glenn Asch (violin and
viola), Helen Reich (viola), Dan Armstrong (string bass) and Scott Tisdel
(cello) join Seed’s guitar exploring new frontiers (much like the Kronos
Quartet).And if that’s not exotic
enough for you Chinese Pipa master, Yang Wei appears on Where the Corners Meet, which resembles Chinese folkloric meets an
Appalachian string band meets chamber music (though it sounds a bit busy for my tastes).

Seed’s Tangoesque
takes its inspiration from Bill Frisell (another eclectic guitarist), Strange
Meeting, according to the liner notes.Seed’s guitar grabs the spotlight on this piece which the strings frame
it with strains of tango.On Pictures of an Exhibition, the
musicians swing hard with the strings entangled in fun counterpoint. This brings up the compositions which sound
imaginative, fresh, and zany.I
get the sense that the musicians thoroughly enjoyed their performance on this
recording because I’m certainly enjoying my time listening to the CD.Fans of bluegrass swing, chamber strings, and
uplifting guitar, will enjoy this high brow music that’s packed full of delight

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About Me

I am a musician, instructor, novelist and veteran arts journalist with an interest in the healing powers of music. I am the author of Whole Music (Soul Food for the Mind Body Spirit). I launched The Whole Music Experience in 2007 to promote the healing potential of mainly traditional and classical music. I started teaching music awareness workshops in 2009.
I also post articles on World Music Central and contribute to print publications.
I believe that high vibrational music heals individuals and communities through cultural exchange, music preservation and music therapy. Music, similar to prayer and meditation moves us to a place deep within us, thus promoting peace, but it depends on the music too.
I've published articles in Global Rhythm, World Music Central, Early Music America, Skagit Valley Herald "A & E Monthly," and other fine music publications.

Endorsement for a Whole Music Experience workshop

I took the “Developing a Healthy Music Diet” class in winter quarter and had a great time with it. The musical examples Patricia provided in class were diverse and stimulating. The experiential part was easy to manage and I achieved a beneficial result for my health and well-being – releasing a stress pattern and obtaining restful sleep for the first time in many weeks!

I recommend this class to anyone who is interested in expanding and enriching their consciousness of how the music they listen to, or could be listening to, affects their quality of life, or to anyone who works in a healing profession and utilizes environmental music or sound as a complementary modality. I also highly recommend visiting Patricia’s expansive blog on healing music (The Whole Music Experience). ---Allan Tamm

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To St. Francesco & St. Chiara of Assisi

May we all lift our voices in songs of joy & treat all creatureswith love & respect.

Disclaimer:

This blog is meant to suggests ideas and projectsthat might be healing to a community or an individual.If readers have a specific health problem,the advice is to see a qualified health provider.What works for one person, might not for another.

This blog features an array of healing musicfrom community projects, cultural preservationto sound healing.